“I like y’all!”- Russell Westbrook takes a shot LA Lakers after Clippers secure a hard-fought win over the Thunder

Russell Westbrook had several testy encounters with some beat reporters covering the LA Lakers during his stint with his former team. He hasn’t had that type of encounter yet with many who are covering the LA Clippers.

After the Clippers’ win over the Thunder, Westbrook joked around with several news writers. When asked about his relationship with the media now that he’s with his new team, he couldn’t resist saying:

“I like y’all.”

Russell Westbrook had a rough start to his career with the LA Clippers. They lost five straight games after the former NBA MVP signed with the team. More worryingly, they dropped from fourth in the Western Conference to eighth in a matter of two weeks.

Despite a terrible record in his first few games with the Clippers, he hasn’t had that kind of heated back-and-forth with beat reporters. He’s been very professional in answering questions and is more at ease with the media now that he’s with his new team.

Moving down the hallway seems to have invigorated the triple-double king. Here’s Russell Westbrook on his career with the LA Clippers:

“It's definitely been a great experience that I'm grateful for & blessed. I'm just going to cherish every moment I have and hopefully we are playing at the end of June."

Westbrook had a big night against his former team. “Russ” played 30 minutes and finished with 24 points, two rebounds and seven assists. He was 8-13 from the field, including 2-4 from behind the arc.

Rusell Westbrook’s energy and pace were something the OKC Thunder had trouble dealing with. He is averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 13 games for the Clippers. With Paul George’s injury, he is expected to be even more crucial for the team.

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Russell Westbrook will have an even bigger role to play for the LA Clippers without Paul George

Paul George injured his right knee last Tuesday against the OKC Thunder. He collided with Lu Dort while battling for a rebound before contact forced him to land awkwardly. George is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

George is 1B to Kawhi Leonard’s 1A role with the LA Clippers. Without “PG13” in the lineup, Russell Westbrook’s minutes and usage are expected to go up.

Leonard had this to say about George’s injury and what it means for his team:

"Definitely. Without him, the ball's gonna be in my hands more, but everyone else as well. One man can't win these basketball games, so still just gonna have to come in with a group effort, focus up, & buy-in."

Russell Westbrook is the biggest beneficiary of George’s injury. He’s the most likely to get more touches without the All-Star forward.

With the Clippers battling to get back into the top four, Ty Lue may count on the former Laker to deliver the goods for them.

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